--- name: "Rufus" canonical: "https://film.one/person/rufus" fi1m_id: "rufus" imdb_id: "nm0749363" tmdb_id: 2407 wikidata_id: "Q715111" roles: ["Actor"] born: "19 December 1942" reviewed_on_fi1m: 4 average_fi1m_score: 81 average_as: "actor" average_over: 3 updated: "2026-09-26T20:30:04.612966+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Rufus ## Identity Rufus - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/rufus - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** rufus - **IMDb ID:** nm0749363 - **TMDB ID:** 2407 - **Wikidata ID:** Q715111 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufus_(actor), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q715111, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0749363/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2407 Actor. Born 19 December 1942 in Riom, Puy-de-Dôme, France. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 19 December 1942, Riom, Puy-de-Dôme, France - **Active:** 1991–2004 - **Also known as:** Rufus Narcy, Monsieur Rufus, Jacques Narcy, Руфус, Рюфюс - **Titles on Fi1m:** 4: 3 acting, 1 other - **Frequently works with:** [Jean-Pierre Jeunet](https://film.one/person/jean-pierre-jeunet.md), [Claudie Ossard](https://film.one/person/claudie-ossard.md), [Dominique Pinon](https://film.one/person/dominique-pinon.md), [Gilles Adrien](https://film.one/person/gilles-adrien.md), [Jean-Claude Dreyfus](https://film.one/person/jean-claude-dreyfus.md), [Marc Caro](https://film.one/person/marc-caro.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 81, as actor, over 3 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1960s 50 (1), 1990s 80 (2), 2000s 82 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 81 to 72 across 3 titles - **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 1 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 3 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 2, Fantasy 2, Science Fiction 2, Adventure 1, Romance 1 - **Screen time:** 6 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $177m across 3 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rufus_(actor), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q715111, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0749363/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2407 ## Streaming the US now - **Tubi:** [*Delicatessen*](https://film.one/film/delicatessen.md) (83) - **The Roku Channel:** [*The City of Lost Children*](https://film.one/film/the-city-of-lost-children.md) (78) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Rufus > Rufus is well suited to eccentric supporting parts, but we value the withdrawn father in *Amélie* more than oddness alone. His recurring work with Jean-Pierre Jeunet is rewarding, with a caveat about characters reduced to their peculiarities. In *Amélie* (2001), Rufus plays Raphaël Poulain, the withdrawn father of Audrey Tautou’s lonely heroine. Jean-Pierre Jeunet keeps the film busy with visual business, but this is a character defined by his reluctance to join in. We were moved by the heroine’s loneliness, even when the film was working too hard to charm us. Her father belongs to the same story of people keeping themselves apart, and that gives Rufus’s familiar outsider role something more useful to do than merely add to the collection of peculiar characters. By the time he played Robert Kube in Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro’s *Delicatessen* (1991), Rufus had already appeared in films by Polanski, Lelouch, Demy and Godard. His work with Jeunet continued as Peeler in *The City of Lost Children* (1995). That recurring collaboration helps explain why eccentric supporting characters are so central to his reputation. These parts suit him, though repeatedly casting an actor as the odd man risks leaving him with little else to play. *Delicatessen* earns our affection through the precision of its slapstick and Dominique Pinon’s sweetness. Rufus’s Robert Kube is part of the crowded supporting company, and we like the film without finding all its eccentrics equally rewarding. Some become tiresome; that is a reservation about the kind of part Rufus is repeatedly asked to play, not a reason to dismiss supporting work. Jeunet and Caro’s comedy works best when its unusual characters have something to contribute beyond their strangeness. *Train of Life* (1998) gives Rufus the lead as Mordechai in a Holocaust tragicomedy. That role is worth remembering when the Jeunet association threatens to become the entire description of him. Still, the withdrawn father in *Amélie* offers a persuasive reason to value his smaller parts: there is recognisable loneliness beneath the eccentricity. Start there, allowing for a director who sometimes adds another flourish when the people already have our attention. ## Biography Rufus, born Jacques Narcy on 19 December 1942 in Riom, Puy-de-Dôme, France, is a French actor also credited as Rufus Narcy or Jacques Narcy. He has worked in film, television and theatre since the late 1960s. He is known for roles including Robert Kube in *Delicatessen* (1991), Raphaël Poulain in *Amélie* (2001), the Peeler in *The City of Lost Children* (1995) and Mordechai in *Train of Life* (1998), in which he played the lead. He has appeared in several films directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and in other productions such as *A Very Long Engagement* (2004) and *The Tenant* (1976). After three years of medical studies he became a theatre manager. He frequently appears in French television series. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, de.wikipedia.org.* ## On Fi1m (4) ### Performed in (3) — the average rests on these - *Amélie* (2001), Fi1m 82, as Raphaël Poulain — [page](https://film.one/film/amelie.md) - *The City of Lost Children* (1995), Fi1m 78, as Peeler — [page](https://film.one/film/the-city-of-lost-children.md) - *Delicatessen* (1991), Fi1m 83, as Robert Kube — [page](https://film.one/film/delicatessen.md) ### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited - *Doctor Dolittle* (1967), Fi1m 50, as Dog (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/doctor-dolittle.md) ## Complete filmography (132) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Class Reunion* (2025), as Rolland - *An Ideal Father* (2024), as L'Evêque - *Amélie: The Real Story* (2023), as (archive footage) - *Family* (2022), as Jean - *The Takeover* (2022), as Michel - *A French Case* (2021), series, as Le gendarme Féru - *HIP - High Intellectual Potential* (2021), series, as Henri - *Mine de rien* (2020), as Roger Morels - *In the Name of the Land* (2019), as Jacques Jarjeau - *Dance of Chance* (2019), as Le voisin - *The Art of Crime* (2017), series, as Père Christophe - *Noir Enigma* (2017), as Roger Baudouin - *Knock* (2017), as Le vieux Jules - *Go, Toto!* (2017), as Joseph (voice) - *Two Snails Set Off* (2017), as (voice) - *Brothers* (2017), as Emile - *Vive la crise !* (2017), as Lucien - *Everyone's Life* (2017), as Le chauffeur de taxi - *The African Doctor* (2016), as Jean - *Stornoway* (2015), as Keller - *Winter Song* (2015), as Concierge - *Soleils* (2014), as Voltaire - *We Love You, You Bastard* (2014), as Le Ruf - *La Déesse aux cent bras* (2014), as Le Dantec - *À votre bon cœur, mesdames* (2013), as Doctor Andreausse - *The Marchers* (2013), as François, le pasteur - *Marius* (2013), as 'Piquoiseau' - *Not Very Normal Activities* (2013), as Levantour - *I'm Going Home To Mum* (2012), as Gorbatchev - *10 jours en or* (2012), as Père Clément Rozière - *My Name Is Bernadette* (2011), as Forcade - *La part des anges* (2011), as Émile - *Les Insomniaques* (2011), as Le commissaire - *Crédit pour tous* (2011), as Pistille - *Colère* (2010), as Germain Bougron, l'expert - *Colombe* (2010), as La Surette - *Freedom* (2009), as Fernand - *So Woman!* (2009), as M. Paroquet - *King Guillaume* (2009), as Roi Cyril John Delagny - *My Stars* (2008), as Victor - *It Had to be You* (2007), as le père de Thomas - *His Majesty Minor* (2007), as Rectus - *La Volière aux enfants* (2006), as The Bishop - *Rascals* (2006), as Fouchs - *If You Love Me, Follow Me* (2006), as Jean-Pierre - *Les Irréductibles* (2006), as Edmond - *Red Needles* (2006), as Marullaz - *One Fine Day* (2006), as Cremer - *Le Cri* (2006), series, as M. Lesage - *Iznogoud* (2005), as le conseiller du calife - *A Very Long Engagement* (2004), as Breton - *The Great Role* (2004), as Monsieur Silberman - *Madame Edouard* (2004), as Valdès, l'homme à l'oiseau - *In Your Image* (2004), as O pai de Mathilde - *Bonhomme de chemin* (2004), as Oscar - *Saint-Germain ou La négociation* (2003), as M. de Biron - *Tales of the Magic Clock* (2003), Actor - *Comme si de rien n'était* (2003), as Edouard - *Entrusted* (2003), as Prof. Bergot - *That Day* (2003), as Hubus - *Hôtel des deux mondes* (2002), Actor - *Une soupe aux herbes sauvages* (2001), series, as Joseph - *Amélie* (2001), as Raphaël Poulain — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/amelie.md) - *My Father Saved My Life* (2001), as Grinval - *Train of Life* (1998), as Mordechai - *Metroland* (1998), as Henri - *Le radeau de la Méduse* (1998), as Harmonica - *Let There Be Light!* (1998), as Dieu le chauffeur de Harper, Dieu l'infirmière - *Love, Math and Sex* (1997), as Un spectateur au cinéma - *Crime à l'altimètre* (1996), as Octave - *Tendre piège* (1996), as Mr. Gallibert - *Strangers* (1996), series, as Dr Hoskin - *The City of Lost Children* (1995), as Peeler — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/the-city-of-lost-children.md) - *Les Miserables* (1995), as Thénardier 1830 / 1990 - *Le Mangeur de lune* (1994), as Simon - *L'amour est un jeu d'enfant* (1994), as Dorta - *Poorly Extinguished Fires* (1994), as Commander Perleau - *Delicatessen* (1991), as Robert Kube — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/delicatessen.md) - *Ferbac* (1991), series, as Fernand Graucourt - *The Elegant Criminal* (1990), as Canler - *Promotion canapé* (1990), as Inspecteur de justice - *The Austrian* (1990), as L'abbé Girard - *La Goutte d'or* (1990), as Sigisbert - *Paperback Woman* (1989), as M. Courtois - *En attendant Godot* (1989), as Vladimir - *Keep Your Right Up* (1987), as Policeman - *Ubac* (1987), as Le Bossu - *Exploits of a Young Don Juan* (1986), as Le moine - *A Plan of Hell* (1986), Actor - *Weekend Killer* (1985), Actor - *Side Roads* (1983), as Cyprien - *La Chanson du mal-aimé* (1982), as Guillaume Apollinaire - *The Police War* (1979), as Le Garrec, chicken farmer - *Zoo zéro* (1979), as Yves, le chauffeur ventriloque - *Surprise Sock* (1978), as Antoine - *Fire's Share* (1978), as Patrick Delbaut - *The Goodbye Singing* (1977), as Michel - *March or Die* (1977), as Sgt. Triand - *Jonah Who Will Be 25 in the Year 2000* (1976), as Mathieu - *The Tenant* (1976), as Georges Badar - *Henry James Stories* (1976), series, as Mr Pemberton - *La adúltera* (1975), as Lucien (as Rufus Narcy) - *Trop c'est trop* (1975), as Gendarme - *Lily, aime-moi* (1975), as Claude - *Au long de rivière Fango* (1975), as Jérémie - *Marriage* (1974), as Henri - *Ce que savait Morgan* (1974), as Mr. Pemberton - *A Cloud in the Teeth* (1974), as Man with the dog (uncredited) - *The Edifying and Joyous Story of Colinot* (1973), as 'Gagnepain' - *L'école sauvage* (1973), Actor - *Valparaiso, Valparaiso* (1973), as Un méchant - *La vie facile* (1973), as Vicar (uncredited) - *The French Calvinists* (1972), as Jacques Combassous - *As Far as Love Can Go* (1971), as Le barman - *Where Did Tom Go?* (1971), as Tom Coupar - *One Way Ticket* (1971), as Tom Mills - *Troubleshooters* (1971), as Mister Ferglough, le prof d'anglais - *Love Is Gay, Love Is Sad* (1971), as Charles - *Fantasia Among the Squares* (1971), as Wesson - *The Wedding Ring* (1971), as L'éleveur de pigeons - *Scene of the Crime* (1970), series, as Hacker - *Promise at Dawn* (1970), as Russian Violin Teacher (uncredited) - *The Cop* (1970), as Raymond Aulnay - *Safety Catch* (1970), as Photographer's assistant - *Potatoes* (1969), as Larobesse - *The American* (1969), as Corbeau - *Erotissimo* (1969), as le comptable de Philippe - *Miss Paris et le Majordome* (1969), Actor - *Mr. Freedom* (1969), as Freddie Fric - *The Surrounded* (1968), as Didier - *Doctor Dolittle* (1967), as Dog (uncredited) — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/doctor-dolittle.md) - *Le Point Mort* (1967), Actor ## Gallery - ![Rufus](https://film.one/media/person/78803/gallery-b0c9b99f43c9.jpg) Rufus — Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5d/Rufus_2010.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![En attendant Godot (1978) Festival d'Avignon. Photo retouchée.](https://film.one/media/person/78803/gallery-8f7499323338.png) En attendant Godot (1978) Festival d'Avignon. Photo retouchée. — Fernand Michaud, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/EnAttendantGodot-FestivalAvignon1978-retouche.png/1280px-EnAttendantGodot-FestivalAvignon1978-retouche.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Waiting for Godot, text by Samuel Beckett, staging by Otomar Krejca. Avignon Festival, 1978. Rufus (Estragon) and Georges Wilson (Vladimir) / photographs by Fer](https://film.one/media/person/78803/gallery-236662a48837.jpg) Waiting for Godot, text by Samuel Beckett, staging by Otomar Krejca. Avignon Festival, 1978. Rufus (Estragon) and Georges Wilson (Vladimir) / photographs by Fer — Fernand Michaud, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/En_attendant_Godot%2C_Festival_d%27Avignon%2C_1978_f22.jpg/1280px-En_attendant_Godot%2C_Festival_d%27Avignon%2C_1978_f22.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![an old small theater in Paris (2010)](https://film.one/media/person/78803/gallery-c243a4cc6f28.jpg) an old small theater in Paris (2010) — Jebulon, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Vieilgril.jpg/1280px-Vieilgril.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) ## Awards ### Other awards — 2 won - Commander of the National Order of Merit 2022: Commander of the National Order of Merit (won) - Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres 2013: Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres (won) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/rufus